TORONTO -- Frank Mir would have us believe that he was never really out of it after getting rocked by Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira in the first round of their heavyweight tilt at UFC 140. Instead, he was merely "wobbled," he said. He'd also have us believe that was bound to get out of danger whether Nogueira had stopped hitting him and gone for a choke or not, even if UFC president Dana White was among those who simply wasn't buying either claim.
It almost makes you wonder how seriously to take Mir's other major statement on the night, this one regarding rumors that Alistair Overeem might have to withdraw from his UFC 141 fight with Brock Lesnar on December 30.
"If the rumors that you're hearing are true, I wouldn't mind having to step in for Overeem and taking on Brock," said Mir. "I'm pretty healthy and three weeks isn't bad turnaround."
And why not? He may have come within one or two punches of being knocked completely out by Nogueira in a back-and-forth one-rounder, but Mir talked like a man who had hardly suffered any damage at all before getting the submission win in a wild affair.
As he explained: "I only fought a three-minute fight, so I'm feeling pretty good. My wife might not be happy about Christmas but, eh, she can deal with it."
As for Nogueira, his holiday season is looking especially grim. White, who denied the Overeem withdrawal rumors, revealed after the press conference that he was planning to fly Nogueira back to Las Vegas with him on Sunday morning so he could have surgery on his injured right arm as soon as possible. He also said that he knew Nogueira was headed for trouble when Mir locked up the kimura, and nothing about the Brazilian's history or posture suggested that he was ready to tap.
"Nogueira's a jiu-jitsu black belt, probably the best submissions heavyweight of all time, you know when you get caught in that thing to tap," White said. "You know to tap out to that. It's what happens if you don't."
Mir said he knew what the likely outcome would be when he secured the kimura, and the only thing left to do was to go ahead and finish it.
"I had a strong inclination that he was not going to tap, so I took a deep breath and you guys saw what happened," he said.
The injury drew pained groans from the crowd at the Air Canada Centre when it was replayed several times on the big screen. It's the latest in a serious of injuries that have piled up on Nogueira of late, and though he hasn't taken the knockouts that some of his contemporaries have, he might still have to sit down for a serious talk with the boss, White said.
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UFC 140 Photos
Mark Bocek punches Nik Lentz at UFC 140 on Saturday, Dec. 10, 2011 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Canada.
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UFC 140 Photos
Mark Bocek and Nik Lentz try to sway the judges at UFC 140 on Saturday, Dec. 10, 2011 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Canada.
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UFC 140 Photos
Nik Lentz throws a kick at Mark Bocek at UFC 140 on Saturday, Dec. 10, 2011 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Canada.
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UFC 140 Photos
Nik Lentz attempts a guillotine choke on Mark Bocek at UFC 140 on Saturday, Dec. 10, 2011 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Canada.
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UFC 140 Photos
Jake Hecht def. Rich Attonito via second-round TKO at UFC 140 on Saturday, Dec. 10, 2011 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Canada.
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UFC 140 Photos
Jake Hecht celebrates after his TKO win over Rich Attonito at UFC 140 on Saturday, Dec. 10, 2011 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Canada.
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UFC 140 Photos
Rich Attonito (right) clinches with Jake Hecht at UFC 140 on Saturday, Dec. 10, 2011 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Canada.
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UFC 140 Photos
Rich Attonito throws punches at Jake Hecht at UFC 140 on Saturday, Dec. 10, 2011 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Canada.
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UFC 140 Photos
Rich Attonito (right) charges towards Jake Hecht at UFC 140 on Saturday, Dec. 10, 2011 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Canada.
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UFC 140 Photos
John Cholish def. Mitch Clarke via second-round TKO at UFC 140 on Saturday, Dec. 10, 2011 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Canada.
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UFC 140 Photos
John Cholish walks off after his TKO win over Mitch Clarke at UFC 140 on Saturday, Dec. 10, 2011 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Canada.
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UFC 140 Photos
John Cholish climbs the back of Mitch Clarke at UFC 140 on Saturday, Dec. 10, 2011 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Canada.
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UFC 140 Photos
John Cholish attempts a kimura on Mitch Clarke at UFC 140 on Saturday, Dec. 10, 2011 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Canada.
- UFC 140 Photos Mark Bocek punches Nik Lentz at UFC 140 on Saturday, Dec. 10, 2011 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Canada. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
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UFC 140 Photos
Dennis Hallman defeats John Makdessi via submission (rear-naked choke) at UFC 140 on Saturday, Dec. 10, 2011 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Canada.
Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
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UFC 140 Photos
Dennis Hallman defeats John Makdessi via submission (rear-naked choke) at UFC 140 on Saturday, Dec. 10, 2011 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Canada.
Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
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UFC 140 Photos
Dennis Hallman takes the back of John Makdessi at UFC 140 on Saturday, Dec. 10, 2011 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Canada.
- UFC 140 Photos Yves Jabouin def. Walel Watson via split decision at UFC 140 on Saturday, Dec. 10, 2011 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Canada. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
- UFC 140 Photos Yves Jabouin throws a kick at Walel Watson at UFC 140 on Saturday, Dec. 10, 2011 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Canada. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
- UFC 140 Photos Walel Watson kicks Yves Jabouin at UFC 140 on Saturday, Dec. 10, 2011 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Canada. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
- UFC 140 Photos Walel Watson elbows Yves Jabouin at UFC 140 on Saturday, Dec. 10, 2011 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Canada. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
- UFC 140 Photos Yves Jabouin punches Walel Watson at UFC 140 on Saturday, Dec. 10, 2011 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Canada. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
- UFC 140 Photos Walel Watson (right) charges Yves Jabouin at UFC 140 on Saturday, Dec. 10, 2011 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Canada. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
- UFC 140 Photos Yves Jabouin punches Walel Watson at UFC 140 on Saturday, Dec. 10, 2011 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Canada. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
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UFC 140 Photos
Yves Jabouin (left) clashes with Walel Watson at UFC 140 on Saturday, Dec. 10, 2011 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Canada.
Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
- UFC 140 Photos Jared Hamman receives attention after his loss at UFC 140 on Saturday, Dec. 10, 2011 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Canada. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
- UFC 140 Photos Constantinos Philippou celebrates his first-round TKO over Jared Hamman at UFC 140 on Saturday, Dec. 10, 2011 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Canada. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
- UFC 140 Photos Constantinos Philippou punches Jared Hamman at UFC 140 on Saturday, Dec. 10, 2011 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Canada. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
- UFC 140 Photos Constantinos Philippou finishes Jared Hamman at UFC 140 on Saturday, Dec. 10, 2011 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Canada. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
- UFC 140 Photos Constantinos Philippou punches Jared Hamman at UFC 140 on Saturday, Dec. 10, 2011 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Canada. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
- UFC 140 Photos Constantinos Philippou walks back to the locker room after his win at UFC 140 on Saturday, Dec. 10, 2011 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Canada. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
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UFC 140 Photos
Igor Pokrajac defeated Krzystof Soszynski by first-round KO at UFC 140 on Saturday, Dec. 10, 2011 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Canada.
Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
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UFC 140 Photos
Krzystof Soszynski receives medical attention at UFC 140 on Saturday, Dec. 10, 2011 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Canada.
Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
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UFC 140 Photos
Igor Pokrajac celebrates his KO win over Krzystof Soszynski at UFC 140 on Saturday, Dec. 10, 2011 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Canada.
Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
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UFC 140 Photos
Krzystof Soszynski (left) clashes with Igor Pokrajac at UFC 140 on Saturday, Dec. 10, 2011 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Canada.
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UFC 140 Photos
Igor Pokrajac punches Krzystof Soszynski at UFC 140 on Saturday, Dec. 10, 2011 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Canada.
Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
- UFC 140 Photos Chan Sung Jung knocks out Mark Hominick in seven seconds at UFC 140 on Saturday, Dec. 10, 2011 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Canada. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
- UFC 140 Photos Mark Hominick looks off in disappointment after his loss at UFC 140 on Saturday, Dec. 10, 2011 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Canada. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
- UFC 140 Photos Chan Sung Jung celebrates his KO win over Mark Hominick in seven seconds at UFC 140 on Saturday, Dec. 10, 2011 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Canada. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
- UFC 140 Photos Chan Sung Jung knocks out Mark Hominick in seven seconds at UFC 140 on Saturday, Dec. 10, 2011 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Canada. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
- UFC 140 Photos Chan Sung Jung finishes Mark Hominick with punches at UFC 140 on Saturday, Dec. 10, 2011 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Canada. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
- UFC 140 Photos Chan Sung Jung finishes Mark Hominick with punches at UFC 140 on Saturday, Dec. 10, 2011 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Canada. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
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UFC 140 Photos
Chan Sung Jung punches Mark Hominick at UFC 140 on Saturday, Dec. 10, 2011 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Canada.
- UFC 140 Photos Tito Ortiz walks to the locker rooms after his loss at UFC 140 on Saturday, Dec. 10, 2011 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Canada. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
- UFC 140 Photos Antonio Rogerio Nogueira def. Tito Ortiz at UFC 140 on Saturday, Dec. 10, 2011 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Canada. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
- UFC 140 Photos Antonio Rogerio Nogueira holds his arms up after finishing Tito Ortiz at UFC 140 on Saturday, Dec. 10, 2011 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Canada. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
- UFC 140 Photos Tito Ortiz grimaces in pain after his TKO loss to Antonio Rogerio Nogueira at UFC 140 on Saturday, Dec. 10, 2011 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Canada. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
- UFC 140 Photos Tito Ortiz holds his injured ribs at UFC 140 on Saturday, Dec. 10, 2011 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Canada. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
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UFC 140 Photos
The referee saves Tito Ortiz from further punishment at UFC 140 on Saturday, Dec. 10, 2011 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Canada.
Esther Lin, MMA Fighting - UFC 140 Photos Antonio Rogerio Nogueira ground and pounds Tito Ortiz at UFC 140 on Saturday, Dec. 10, 2011 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Canada. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
- UFC 140 Photos Antonio Rogerio Nogueira punches Tito Ortiz at UFC 140 on Saturday, Dec. 10, 2011 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Canada. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
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UFC 140 Photos
Antonio Rogerio Nogueira elbows Tito Ortiz at UFC 140 on Saturday, Dec. 10, 2011 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Canada.
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UFC 140 Photos
Antonio Rogerio Nogueira knees the stomach of Tito Ortiz at UFC 140 on Saturday, Dec. 10, 2011 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Canada.
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UFC 140 Photos
Antonio Rogerio Nogueira clashes with Tito Ortiz at UFC 140 on Saturday, Dec. 10, 2011 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Canada.
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UFC 140 Photos
Frank Mir acknowledges the fans after tapping out Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira at UFC 140 on Saturday, Dec. 10, 2011 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Canada.
Esther Lin, MMA Fighting - UFC 140 Photos Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira's arm is twisted out of position at UFC 140 on Saturday, Dec. 10, 2011 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Canada. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
- UFC 140 Photos Frank Mir taps out Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira at UFC 140 on Saturday, Dec. 10, 2011 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Canada. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
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UFC 140 Photos
Frank Mir def. Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira via submission (kimura) at UFC 140 on Saturday, Dec. 10, 2011 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Canada.
Esther Lin, MMA Fighting - UFC 140 Photos Frank Mir taps out Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira at UFC 140 on Saturday, Dec. 10, 2011 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Canada. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
- UFC 140 Photos UFC octagon girl Brittney Palmer makes her return at UFC 140 on Saturday, Dec. 10, 2011 in Canada. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
- UFC 140 Photos Frank Mir secures a kimura on Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira at UFC 140 on Saturday, Dec. 10, 2011 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Canada. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
- UFC 140 Photos Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira stuns Frank Mir with punches at UFC 140 on Saturday, Dec. 10, 2011 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Canada. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
- UFC 140 Photos Octagon girls smile for the camera at UFC 140 on Saturday, Dec. 10, 2011 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Canada. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
- UFC 140 Photos 18,303 were in attendance at UFC 140 on Saturday, Dec. 10, 2011 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Canada. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
- UFC 140 Photos Lyoto Machida walks to the locker rooms after his loss to Jon Jones at UFC 140 on Saturday, Dec. 10, 2011 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Canada.
- UFC 140 Photos Frank Mir secures a kimura on Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira at UFC 140 on Saturday, Dec. 10, 2011 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Canada. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
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UFC 140 Photos
Jon Jones throws a kick at Lyoto Machida at UFC 140 on Saturday, Dec. 10, 2011 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Canada.
Esther Lin, MMA Fighting - UFC 140 Photos Jon Jones poses with his trainers at UFC 140 on Saturday, Dec. 10, 2011 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Canada. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
- UFC 140 Photos Jon Jones talks to Joe Rogan after his win over Lyoto Machida at UFC 140 on Saturday, Dec. 10, 2011 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Canada. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
- UFC 140 Photos Jon Jones walks off after finishing Lyoto Machida at UFC 140 on Saturday, Dec. 10, 2011 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Canada. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
- UFC 140 Photos Jon Jones walks off after finishing Lyoto Machida at UFC 140 on Saturday, Dec. 10, 2011 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Canada. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
- UFC 140 Photos Jon Jones walks off after finishing Lyoto Machida at UFC 140 on Saturday, Dec. 10, 2011 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Canada. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
- UFC 140 Photos Lyoto Machida falls unconscious at UFC 140 on Saturday, Dec. 10, 2011 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Canada. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
- UFC 140 Photos Jon Jones secures a guillotine choke on Lyoto Machida at UFC 140 on Saturday, Dec. 10, 2011 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Canada. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
- UFC 140 Photos Jon Jones drops Lyoto Machida at UFC 140 on Saturday, Dec. 10, 2011 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Canada. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
- UFC 140 Photos Jon Jones attacks Lyoto Machida at UFC 140 on Saturday, Dec. 10, 2011 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Canada. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
- UFC 140 Photos Jon Jones attacks Lyoto Machida at UFC 140 on Saturday, Dec. 10, 2011 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Canada. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
- UFC 140 Photos Lyoto Machida receives a deep cut on his forehead at UFC 140 on Saturday, Dec. 10, 2011 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Canada. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
- UFC 140 Photos Lyoto Machida pushes forward against Jon Jones at UFC 140 on Saturday, Dec. 10, 2011 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Canada. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
- UFC 140 Photos Jon Jones receives corner instructions at UFC 140 on Saturday, Dec. 10, 2011 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Canada. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
- UFC 140 Photos Lyoto Machida and Jon Jones head to their respective corners after round one at UFC 140 on Saturday, Dec. 10, 2011 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Canada. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
- UFC 140 Photos Jon Jones tries to keep a distance from Lyoto Machida at UFC 140 on Saturday, Dec. 10, 2011 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Canada. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
- UFC 140 Photos Jon Jones tries to keep a distance from Lyoto Machida at UFC 140 on Saturday, Dec. 10, 2011 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Canada. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
- UFC 140 Photos Lyoto Machida keeps his eyes on Jon Jones at UFC 140 on Saturday, Dec. 10, 2011 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Canada. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
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UFC 140 Photos
Lyoto Machida punches Jon Jones at UFC 140 on Saturday, Dec. 10, 2011 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Canada.
Esther Lin, MMA Fighting - UFC 140 Photos Brian Ebersole wins a split decision over Claude Patrick at UFC 140 on Saturday, Dec. 10, 2011 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Canada. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
- UFC 140 Photos Brian Ebersole sports TapouT chest hair at UFC 140 on Saturday, Dec. 10, 2011 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Canada. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
- UFC 140 Photos Claude Patrick throws a left hand at Brian Ebersole at UFC 140 on Saturday, Dec. 10, 2011 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Canada. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
- UFC 140 Photos Claude Patrick tries to guillotine Brian Ebersole at UFC 140 on Saturday, Dec. 10, 2011 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Canada. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
- UFC 140 Photos Brian Ebersole punches Claude Patrick at UFC 140 on Saturday, Dec. 10, 2011 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Canada. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
"You've got to look at a guy's entire career, not just how it's ending. Big Nog's been in wars, man. I was at the Pride fight when he fought Mirko 'Cro Cop' [Filipovic], and 'Cro Cop' was just blasting him with kicks to the body and shots to the head, and then he ends up pulling off that submission win in the second round. He's had a career where he's been through wars.
"Big Nog is a nice guy and a guy who I respect, and I know they get pissed off at me when I say this stuff, but again, it doesn't matter. Unfortunately -- or fortunately -- I'm the one that makes these decisions. I'm going to have to sit down and talk to him. I don't want to see him get hurt, or anyone else."
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